Pet Oncology House Call Care Part 3
“I love the house calls. But what can I do between visits to make my dog better?”
Yesterday we learned dogs can have nice, relaxing acupuncture in their own home to treat cancer symptoms like pain, anxiety, not eating and weight loss. Have you heard of medical massage for dogs?
Medical Massage for Dogs – Tui-na an mo
What? Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine has adapted an ancient art and practice of medical massage called Tui-na an mo (pronounced twee-nah-on-mow). It means – generally – push, pull, grasp, pinch. For thousands of years, people had known and figured out how to feel better through the power of touch.
Categories of Canine Medical Massage
Different categories of touch affect the body in known and specific ways. There is pushing, pressing, rubbing, patting, pinching, pulling, swinging, stretching, carrying and wrenching (like what the chiropractor does!) Dog cancer patients respond well to the massage therapy. However, one dog may like pressing-type techniques and another dog loves having their backside above their tail rubbed.
While there are no books for Tui-na for pet owners, there is a nice book called Acu-Dog: A Guide to Canine Acupressure by Snow and Zidonis. There’s an Acu-Cat and Acu-Horse, too!
How is Medical Massage for Dogs Different than Petting my Dog?
Massage Benefits the Massager and the Massagee
In some ways they are similar. When you pet your dog, both your dog and you release bonding hormones, happy, relaxation hormones and neurochemicals, slow and calm your heart rates and generally have a sense of well-being. This effect goes both ways. You help your dog and they help you.
Massage Technique and Dose
***A big note of caution: do not massage the cancer itself or open sores or infected areas.
The differences between medical massage and petting are the technique and the dose. The dose if the pressure and the time amount of the application of the massage technique.
You can learn fundamental massage techniques that relax your dog, help digestion, and help lower pain and anxiety. You can practice with your dog several times a day.
Dr Truli will test and discover what techniques your dog accepts and likes. She can then teach you 1 or 2 per session that you can practice until you and your dog become comfortable.
-Dr Truli provides vet house call services to the greater Tampa Bay area
Tomorrow we will learn more about Carbohydrates and Cancer
Call, email or text for appointment availability. Provide your name, phone number, street address, and a brief description of your pet’s diagnosis or current problem.
Leave a message and the doctor will call you back in 24 hours or less: 877-378-7854.
Text 813-714-7863 and Dr Truli will text.
Or email DrTruli@VetVMD.com and Dr Truli will email back .
